Norfolk, VA.- Ty Reichenbach notched 39 saves in his fourth consecutive start as the Admirals dropped a hard-fought game 4-1 Friday night to the Florida Everblades.
Carry-over hostilities from Wednesday night flared right off the bat as Jordan Abt and Brett Bulmer dropped the gloves only five seconds into regulation. It was Abt’s second fight in as many games after the defenseman fought Michael Kirkpatrick on Wednesday night. Just like Wednesday though neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first period, heading into the locker room scoreless after 20 minutes.
In the second period it was the Everblades who got on the board first once again. Michael Kirkpatrick took a pass from Stephen MacAulay, cut across the high slot and quickly snapped off a wrist shot the beat Ty Reichenbach to the top corner. Florida scored again before the period ended to take a 2-0 lead to the locker room. Mike Vaskivou pick pocketed the Norfolk defense behind the cage and centered the puck to Joe Cox. Cox, who had the game-winner on Wednesday, pushed the puck past a sprawled Reichenbach. Florida led 2-0 after the second, despite being outshot 17-10 in the middle frame.
Norfolk answered in the third period. Brodie Dupont pump faked from the point before side stepping the defenseman and putting a shot past Martin Ouellette, bringing the Admirals within one. Florida got the next two goals, including an empty netter, to push to a 4-1 victory. Logan Roe scored the insurance goal at the 14:15 mark. Late in the game Brett Bulmer added an empty netter to round off the scoring.
Ty Reichenbach made 39 saves on 42 shots, while Martin Ouellette stopped 40 of 41 shots. Neither team was able to capitalize on a pair of power play chances.
The teams will take the ice again on Saturday night to wrap up a three-game series.
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